Dwayne Wahtomy Jr., a 47-year-old resident of Ethete, Wyoming, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison and will have 10 years of supervised release for the abusive sexual contact of a minor. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson in Cheyenne on April 7. Wahtomy was charged with the offense on September 18, 2024, and pleaded guilty on January 15. The Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook led the prosecution.
The victim, who was sexually abused by Wahtomy and threatened to stay silent, exercised multiple statutory rights during the case. She received notifications about all hearings and the defendant's custody status, consulted with the prosecutor regarding a plea offer, and provided a victim impact statement during the sentencing hearing.
The timing of the sentence coincided with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), an event that has championed justice for victims of crime since 1981. This annual observance, recognized by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, aims to educate the public about the repercussions of victimization.
Established in 1988 through the Victims of Crime Act of 1984, the Office of Victims of Crimes estimates that around 5 million people fall victim to violent crimes every year. These crimes include rape, domestic violence, sexual assault, and robbery. Such traumatic incidents often have lasting impacts, potentially leading to mental health issues and societal dysfunction.
The U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Wyoming, operates a Victim Witness Program that provides support and services to victims and witnesses during federal prosecutions, ensuring fair treatment throughout their involvement with the justice system.
Wahtomy's case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program designed to reduce violent crime through collaboration among law enforcement agencies and community organizations. The initiative focuses on building community trust, supporting violence prevention, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
